rampsEven though our weather has been a bit thrown off this year, there are still a few classic fruits and vegetables whose arrival in supermarkets ushers in the spring season. Local, seasonal produce requires little help to showcase its flavors, so treat these items simply and enjoy their bright, springy flavors.
1. Ramps – These have taken the culinary world by storm this year, they seem to be everywhere! They taste like a cross between onions, leeks, scallions, and garlic, and are beautiful simply roasted with olive oil, salt, and pepper, or thrown on the grill to char a bit, then flavored with a bit of lemon and olive oil.
2. Fingerling Potatoes – These miniature potatoes are the perfect size to roast up in the oven until crispy, then just bust them open and drizzle with olive oil and some Maldon sea salt. They pair beautifully with dill (another spring item), and some gravlax or smoked salmon and a spritz of lemon.
Nothing says springtime quite like a bright fruity cocktail. I sat down at Halcyon’s marble bar with Sharon Eagan and tested out some of the new cocktails they plan on serving to celebrate the sunnier, warmer days of spring.
The cornerstone of these spring cocktails is a collection of in-house infused fruit liquors currently working their magic in big glass jars under the bar. Fruits like pineapple, watermelon, peach, and orange are married with liquors like vodka, rum, and tequila. After a few weeks, the flavors meld and create the perfect foundation for a cocktail.
Nutley’s Old Canal Inn reopened under new ownership in 2011 after being closed for several years. Many of the old traditions are coming back in new and interesting ways. Case in point: The Death Seat Burger Platter.
